No Kings Rallies Across Oregon Combine Protest Against Trump With a Push to Vote Early
Oregonians joined No Kings demonstrations across the state on Saturday, October 17, with some rallies combining opposition to the Trump administration with reminders to vote ahead of the November 3 election.
Oregon Demonstrators Encourage Voters to Cast Ballots
Being the first state to adopt universal vote-by-mail elections, Oregon has a three-week voting window ahead of Election Day on November 3.
‘No Kings’ organizers planned over 30 rallies across Oregon this weekend, to both protest the Trump administration as well as remind fellow residents to vote early. The biggest rally was expected in downtown Portland.
At a demonstration near a Grocery Outlet store in Portland on Saturday, several protesters showed QR codes to direct voters to official ballot drop-box locations, as broader demonstrations against the Trump administration took place. The rallies also reached smaller communities.
In Ontario- a city of about 12,000 people across the Snake River from Idaho- several dozen demonstrators gathered at city hall before marching about a half a mile to Lion Park. The march drew a mixed response from passing motorists. Some honked support, but a similar number of drivers passing shouted at the demonstrators.
Organizers Emphasize Voter Participation During Protest
In Hillsboro, the event focused on helping residents prepare to vote, rather than just protest alone. Indivisible Hillsboro said its October 17 ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ event was different from previous demonstrations and didn’t focus just on protest.
The group’s goal was to bring the community together to make early voting plans, and also ensure eligible voters understood their options. The rally was billed as a nonpartisan voter-participation effort, with organizers encouraging those attending to help friends and neighbors to prepare to vote.
The Hillsboro ‘No Kings’ rally mirrors the two purposes of the national demonstrations, and organizers urged Oregonians to make a plan to vote and return their ballots before November 3.